Bit of Tranquility in the Heart of the City

A picture of two halfs for me. The right side works really well with the title, but the expression on the man's face in the left side and the background behind him is just too busy.

Have you tried it as a square crop - cropping just by the man's shoulder? I think would make a stronger image.

Phil

How do you like your 55-300mm Phil? I'm trying to decide on which lens in that neighbourhood I am going purchase next.

For me, this is a picture of solitude, with two people separated by the whole frame, with their backs to each other, both alone inside themselves. He, by the way, is smoking a cigarette, which perhaps accounted for your comment on his expression. The city is only a few yards away, which I think emphasizes the tranquility of this tiny parkette, rather than detracts from the mood of the scene. So the "two halves" was a deliberate choice. Anyway, I am happy you took the time to tell me how it struck you, Phil.

That explains how you have framed it - I didn't notice the cigarette. In that case the only suggestion i would make would be to tone down or clone out the red post and chains at the back left - I find my eye drawn to them because of their brightness.

Re the 55 - 300; just so that you know I have the older HD DA WR version and not the new faster focussing PLM RE version. I think that it is a super lens for the money. It gives sharp and very clear images. It's also relatively light and quite compact. The WR properties are a great bonus. I've been using it less recently, as I'm using the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 for many circumstances when I would previously have used the the 55-300. However, the Tamron in not weather resistant and it is both much larger and heavier. As a result, it is the 55-300 that I will be taking on my next overseas trip. There will be a (slight) quality price to pay, but you would have to look hard to see it.

In summary, I think that the 55-300 is a super lens for the money, and if you need something to cover that range, I would definitely take a good long look at it. I believe that the new PLM RE version, while VERY slightly slower is even better, but check that your camera works with the new KAF 4 mount - it doesn't on my K-5iis.

Hope that helps
Phil

Hi Phil:

I see your point about the red. I'll tone it right down, and thanks for the suggestion.

Glad to hear you like the 55-300 so much. I love my Tamron 17-50. A super lens. As I recall, the various lens reviews gave the Tamron 70-200 very high marks, and I may just end up buying that because I don't REALLY need 300mm (actually 450mm). But as you say, it is larger and heavier---though am I right in assuming you are implying it is sharper than the 55-300? I wouldn't mind heavier and larger though, because I wouldn't use it too much, and WR isn't important to me, as a city boy. And of course in the city, the wider angles are the ones usually needed to capture subjects that tend to close in on you---like buildings! (By the way, the newer 55-300 would work with my KS-2.) Much appreciate your recommendation Phil. I'll let you know what I decide on.

The Tamron 70-200 is definitely sharper than the 55-300, and quite a bit faster across the range. I don't regard them as 'competitors' as they both have their strengths (and weaknesses), but both are good in their own way. However, if I had to have only one of them it would be the Tamron because of the greater sharpness and the extra speed.

Phil

Again, merci beaucoup for all the dope on the lenses.

All the best,
Go4IT